Sorry, I don't know about vids.
A penetrating slice needs to clear the net by about 2', bounce somewhere in NML, then skid off to one side while changing the ball path's direction and speed after bouncing. It can nuetralize most topspin to topspin rallies, IF the slicer can hit passing shots off both sides.
Most top players use a very conti grip, some towards Forehand side, some towards Backhand side of conti. Body needs to be solid, feet closed, aggressively hitting the ball with lots of underspin, and enough pace to be 2' above the net while landing somewhere in NML, the deeper the better usually, except against strong groundstrokers.
Few players use a strong grip for slice. You CAN hit a strong slice shot with an eastern backhand or even SW backhand grip, but it's bounce doesn't seem as different as a topspin stroke, and the opponent doesn't need to vary his prep to return it. Possibly it's because it's hard to slice as hard using a strong grip, which often adds pace to the ball, but not more underspin...which causes the low, off to the side skidding bounce.
Ball speed here is not important because it's the spin that causes the opponent problems. Even against a netperson, ready to volley, and aggressive slice that is low can be a very difficult volley.

For a penetrating slice, your stroke has to be basically flat. You get the backspin because the ball comes off the court with topspin, which once it hits your racket, is converted into backspin. The effect of the spin off the court is so powerful that the spinniest shot ever measured was a backhand slice (over 5,000 RPMs). Too many players try to chop their slices and as a result pop the ball into the air.

Excellent. Would also note that the ball Fed is hitting is quite high, and that he manages to get his racket hand "higher" than the contact height of the ball before starting "down". To me, that is key in preventing that shot from "floating" too high and without pace.

More of a "curiosity" thing to me is that they all have the racket face significantly more "open" in the backswing than at contact. I also see that with good volleys, and feel that I hit both those shots better if I consciously make that move - as long as that "closing" of the racket face stops after contact.

Excellent. Would also note that the ball Fed is hitting is quite high, and that he manages to get his racket hand "higher" than the contact height of the ball before starting "down". To me, that is key in preventing that shot from "floating" too high and without pace.

More of a "curiosity" thing to me is that they all have the racket face significantly more "open" in the backswing than at contact. I also see that with good volleys, and feel that I hit both those shots better if I consciously make that move - as long as that "closing" of the racket face stops after contact.

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Played around a bit with the "racket face angle" and "swing path angle" with TW University's "Shot Maker" stroke analysis gadget. Put some of them up on my Flickr site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mentalblock/sets/72157632779578857/with/8480434310/ Any scuba divers out there - especially those who aware of the wonders of the Blue Heron Bridge - might get a kick out exploring said Flickr site. I *also* over-do underwater photography. :mrgreen:

a pure underspin slice is more difficult to deal with IMO. sidespin has its place but for slice it's at cost of underspin. so practice some pure underspin slice that doesn't sit up. and pace is not that important in a good slice.

On a slice, the angle of sidespin is directly related to the height of the ball at the strikezone.
As a lefty, on low balls, my slices skid severely to the right at the bounce.
On medium high balls, waist to chest, it's almost all backspin with some sidespin to the right.
On higher balls, those over my shoulders, the ball curves and bounces to my LEFT, like a rightie slice serve.
Reverse the curve directions for righties, but the medium high ball is mostly backspin with a little bit of side.

On a slice, the angle of sidespin is directly related to the height of the ball at the strikezone.
As a lefty, on low balls, my slices skid severely to the right at the bounce.
On medium high balls, waist to chest, it's almost all backspin with some sidespin to the right.
On higher balls, those over my shoulders, the ball curves and bounces to my LEFT, like a rightie slice serve.
Reverse the curve directions for righties, but the medium high ball is mostly backspin with a little bit of side.

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The curve of the ball in the air is related to sidespin. The direction it "kicks" after the bounce is related to spiral spin. SA calls it rotation around the "Z" axis. (I reckon the other two are "X" and "Y", but I ain't sure how to orient them to know one from the other, but I suspect that the "Y" axis is the one around which sidespin occurs. ) The height of the ball helps determine whether yer stroke causes clockwise or counterclockwise spiral spin. Just trying to help.:mrgreen:

BTW, I've found *exactly* the same results that you've described - and utilize them regularly on droppers - especially drop *volleys*. I keep meaning to get around to doing a video for youtube. . .

the definition of 'penetration' is speed... you can't have a floaty slice that penetrates, even if it spins at 10000 rpm...because after the bounce all that 10000 rpm underspin becomes 50rpm topspin.

and to produce speed is simple, you need the hitting unit of arm/racket moving FORWARD at impact.

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Maybe the better term is "aggravation". And, it may even require much more racket head speed than the 65mph of the inputs in order to generate same. My most aggravating slices actually still have backspin on them after the first bounce, and that bounce is extraordinarily low.

actually - how much top/underspin is there after the bounce is not important, as the rpm will be minimal either way.

i should have said that penetration is a combination of spin and speed before the bounce.... the right combination causes aerodynamic lift (as opposed to a topspin ball), so it makes the ball 'light' with little friction at the bounce, hence the 'skidding'.

aerodynamic lift cannot be achieved with the lack of either the speed or the spin.

actually - how much top/underspin is there after the bounce is not important, as the rpm will be minimal either way.

i should have said that penetration is a combination of spin and speed before the bounce.... the right combination causes aerodynamic lift (as opposed to a topspin ball), so it makes the ball 'light' with little friction at the bounce, hence the 'skidding'.

aerodynamic lift cannot be achieved with the lack of either the speed or the spin.

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Maybe, then, it is the "skidding" that is seen as (at least a large portion of) the "penetration". The playing surface, I think, is also a major factor in the degree of "skid". I've played on some glass-like indoor hard courts that made "skidders" all but impossible to deal with by someone who wasn't used to playing on same.

- step into the ball, closed stance (i.e. sideways)
- use high takeback, hit across the body to impart both side and backspin
- hit only slightly in front of the body (less in front than in a normal backhand)
- swing non-dominant arm towards the back parallel to the baseline to keep balance

I thought this thread is about PENETRATING backhands, not any old reliable sliced backhand possibly used to tease or change of pace.
OTOH, what is "penetrating"?
My hard slice backhand is "penetrating" against 3.5 weak players. Against 4.5's, it's an easy sitter.
The 4.5's backhand "penetrates" against me, but is an easy sitter for a 5.5.
The 5.5's "penetrating" slice backhand kills the 4.5, but it's a sitter for 7.0's.

Actually, looks like it didn't even say "backhand". I've developed a penetrating *forehand* slice (by necessity). The bigger the backswing I take, the more penetrating the shot. I can apportion the added racket head speed in various degrees to either spin or pace.

The larger backswing also seems to aid in confusing the opponent as to whether I'm going to drive it or drop it. Still need to get around to doing that video. The stroke is quite ugly.

i think the OP is looking/asking for technique.. Watch Steffi Graf. She drops very blatantly her right shoulder. If your right shoulder is level or up, go ahead, try it, the ball will sail and you will chop the ball. If u drop your shoulder, and then lean forward into a fairly level swing, magic occurs. Good luck.

Shoulder drop is tied in with the grip you use on the backhand slice.
Most top players slice with a continental grip slightly twisted towards eFOREhand. Yes, eForehand, not eBackhand. This requires the low shoulder on the hitting hand, leaning forwards.
Some players using strong SW backhand grips for slices can lean back and still slice low and hard. It's not favored currently, because they tend to hit topspin backhands.
Either way, full shouder turn, closed stance, solid posture, hit the ball where the opponent doesn't like it.

the definition of 'penetration' is speed... you can't have a floaty slice that penetrates, even if it spins at 10000 rpm...because after the bounce all that 10000 rpm underspin becomes 50rpm topspin.

and to produce speed is simple, you need the hitting unit of arm/racket moving FORWARD at impact.

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True. The slice needs to be "hit" not a chopped. The racquet comes from high to low, but in a forward movement, hitting the ball. Thats how you get a penetrating slice. If the slice is very low but short and not very fast it will be easier to return.

No, not true at all.
A super fast, barely spinning underspin ball that is hit short does not "penetrate", except at low levels of play.
A slow moving, but deep and well placed slice DOES penetrate, at any level.

Wouldn't the sidespin on a slice depend on the contact point height?
On shoetop balls, it's an inside out slice.
On head high or higher balls, it's an outside in.
And somewhere between, it depends on how you slice.

There probably are lots. Rosewall, Federer, Wawrinka, Youzny, and Haas come to mind. I think you might find lots more of what you're asking about by checking out vids of players from the '70s and '80s.

Anyway, below is a video of one way that I hit it. Yes, I know, contrary to your request, these are low level and not very advanced at all, but it works for me, and I didn't feel like searching for relevant pro vids. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p4Q3Dxc2uk

What some posters said about not hitting it too choppy, hitting it almost flat, slightly undercut, with forward body movement if possible is good advice I think. Hitting it deeper and faster (penetration) is just a matter of the forward momentum you impart to the ball. A deep, hard hit, slightly undercut ball that skids real low can be tough for anybody to handle. But slices that hit in no mans land near the sidelines can be very effective also. (as I suppose you know, which is why you started the thread)

No, not true at all.
A super fast, barely spinning underspin ball that is hit short does not "penetrate", except at low levels of play.
A slow moving, but deep and well placed slice DOES penetrate, at any level.

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How can you do a deep slice, slow moving or not, without hitting the ball forward?

More of a "curiosity" thing to me is that they all have the racket face significantly more "open" in the backswing than at contact. I also see that with good volleys, and feel that I hit both those shots better if I consciously make that move - as long as that "closing" of the racket face stops after contact.

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Interesting, I never thought about that. It seems that it makes you hit more through the ball, than with the "scooping" under the ball movement that I intuitively have been using. Looking forward to trying it.

What's a joke is your lack of understanding of how things work.
YOUR forehand might defeat me breadsticks, but it won't faze a 5.5, and Federer will pound it into a clean winner.
YOUR backhand might cause me to miss over and over again, but a good 5.5 will pummel you by going to your backhand every time.
YOUR serve might knock me silly on my butt, but a good 5.5 will just chip it into a corner you can barely reach, as you stumble and fall on your face.
What you call "POWER" might be just a rally ball for someone better than you.

What's a joke is your lack of understanding of how things work.
YOUR forehand might defeat me breadsticks, but it won't faze a 5.5, and Federer will pound it into a clean winner.
YOUR backhand might cause me to miss over and over again, but a good 5.5 will pummel you by going to your backhand every time.
YOUR serve might knock me silly on my butt, but a good 5.5 will just chip it into a corner you can barely reach, as you stumble and fall on your face.
What you call "POWER" might be just a rally ball for someone better than you.

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Dude, you replied to op who was asking for a video of high level slice technique. Is your 200+ word reply not an attempt to describe how to hit a "high level" slice? You won't post a video demonstration because one cannot see whether a slice is penetrating or not on video? I call bravo sierra.

Come on man, either a ball is penetrating or it isn't. Either it kicks or it doesn't.